Judges 18:3

When they [were] by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this [place]? and what hast thou here?

When they were by the house {H1004} of Micah {H4318}, they knew {H5234} the voice {H6963} of the young man {H5288} the Levite {H3881}: and they turned in {H5493} thither, and said {H559} unto him, Who brought {H935} thee hither {H1988}? and what makest {H6213} thou in this place? and what hast thou here?

While they were at Mikhah's house they recognized the accent of the young man, the Levi, so they approached him and said, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is there for you here?"

And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”

When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; and they turned aside thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what doest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?

Commentary

Judges 18:3 describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Danite migration, highlighting the moral and spiritual confusion prevalent during the period of the Judges. The verse focuses on the five Danite spies as they return to the house of Micah, where they had previously lodged.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of the tribe of Dan seeking new territory, as their allotted inheritance was proving too difficult to settle (see Judges 18:1). Having sent five spies to scout out suitable land, these men had previously passed through Mount Ephraim and stayed at the house of Micah (Judges 18:2). During that initial visit, they would have encountered the young Levite whom Micah had hired to be his personal priest, complete with an ephod and teraphim, contrary to the proper worship of the Lord (details in Judges 17:5-6). Their return to Micah's house, and their immediate recognition of the Levite's voice, sets the stage for a significant turning point in the Danites' journey and the Levite's fate.

Key Themes

  • Recognition and Surprise: The immediate recognition of the "voice of the young man the Levite" indicates a prior, memorable encounter between the spies and the Levite. Their questions—"Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this [place]? and what hast thou here?"—reveal their surprise at finding him still there, and perhaps a deeper curiosity about his role and possessions. This surprise underscores the unexpected nature of their reunion.
  • Spiritual Compromise and Decline: The presence of a Levite serving a private idolatrous cult, rather than ministering at the tabernacle according to God's law, epitomizes the spiritual decay of Israel during this era. This period is often characterized by the refrain, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," highlighting the absence of central religious and political authority.
  • The Lure of Opportunity: The spies' questions are not just out of curiosity but also hint at an opportunistic mindset. Their inquiry about what the Levite has there (implying possessions or status) foreshadows their attempt to persuade him to join them for a potentially more lucrative position.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "knew the voice" implies immediate and certain recognition, suggesting a distinct or memorable voice. While not a complex linguistic point, it highlights the personal connection formed during their previous lodging. The repeated questions "Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this [place]? and what hast thou here?" are direct and probing, reflecting the spies' inquisitiveness and their assessment of the situation for their own benefit.

Practical Application

Judges 18:3 offers several reflections for believers today:

  • Discernment and Loyalty: The Levite's willingness to serve an idolatrous household for personal gain illustrates the dangers of spiritual compromise. Believers are called to discern truth from error and remain loyal to God alone, rather than being swayed by convenience or worldly advantage.
  • The Importance of Sound Doctrine: The narrative serves as a warning against religious practices that are "right in one's own eyes" but deviate from God's revealed will. True worship and service must align with biblical truth.
  • Recognizing Divine Providence (or lack thereof): While the Danites' actions were self-serving, the verse shows how seemingly coincidental encounters can lead to significant outcomes. It prompts us to consider how we respond when paths unexpectedly cross, and whether our motives align with God's purposes.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:73

    And after a while came unto [him] they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art [one] of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

  • Judges 12:6

    Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce [it] right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.

  • Isaiah 22:16

    What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, [and] that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

  • Genesis 27:22

    And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice [is] Jacob's voice, but the hands [are] the hands of Esau.
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